Capital Region Development Authority CT Convention Center 100 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, CT Thursday, June 19, :00 pm

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1 Capital Region Development Authority CT Convention Center 100 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, CT Thursday, June 19, :00 pm Board Members Present: Chairwoman Suzanne Hopgood; Floyd Green; Evonne Klein; Mayor Marcia Leclerc; Michael Matteo; Ron Angelo (telephone); Meagan Occhiogrosso; Thomas Deller (arrived 6:21); Cheryl Malerba CRDA Staff Present: Michael Freimuth; Jennifer Gaffey; Joseph Geremia; Kim Hart; Anthony Lazzaro; Robert Saint Terryl Mitchell Smith Guests: Bonnie Malley; Chairman of the iquilt Board of Directors; Chris Lawrence, General Manager, XL and Rentschler Field Chairwoman Suzanne Hopgood called the meeting to order at 6:07 pm and upon motion made and seconded, the Board elected to move the agenda out of order. Minutes The minutes from the May 15, 2014 Board Meeting were moved by Mayor Leclerc, seconded by Commissioner Klein and approved unanimously. The minutes from the June 3, 2014 Board Meeting were moved by Commissioner Klein, seconded by Mayor Leclerc and approved unanimously. Chairwoman Hopgood asked for a motion to take agenda out of order. The motion was moved by Commissioner Klein, seconded by Cheryl Malerba and approved unanimously. Housing Michael Freimuth asked for a motion to add 390 Capitol Avenue to the agenda. The motion was moved by Commissioner Klein and approved by Mayor Leclerc. The 390 Capitol Avenue project has not yet been approved by the Housing Underwriting Committee however it has been discussed at length during several Committee meetings. This project was on hold pending information. Mike Freimuth continued by briefing the Board on the following three projects indicating that they have been discussed and approved by the Housing Committee and are ready to move forward to the full Board for consideration. 36 Lewis Street This is a renovation of a former commercial/restaurant club building on Lewis Street, between the colonial cemetery and the more intensive uses along Trumbull. The developer proposes to create 6 units (4 1BR; 2 2BR) into a row house format. The project has been stalled pending new historic preservation rules that were recently approved allowing for its eligibility, and become effective July The total project is expected to cost $1.84M. Historic credits, bank financing 1

2 and equity form most of the financing, but CRDA is being asked to bridge one tranche of historic credits of $250k and provide a gap of $300k for a total request of $550k initially, converting to a permanent loan of $300k. Construction Financing $ 550, ,000 equity 647,660 bank Permanent Financing: $ 300,000 CRDA 250,000 State Historic Credits 250,000 Federal Historic Credits 399,340 equity 647,660 bank Total Dev. Cost: $ 1,847,660 The following motion was moved by Commissioner Klein, seconded by Mayor Leclerc and RESOLUTION: The CRDA Board hereby approves the use of CRDA housing funds to assist the developer, David K Elwell, IRA (or an acceptable single purpose corporation) to renovate 36 Lewis into 6 housing units and the Executive Director is authorized to extend a formal term sheet to the developer offering $550,000 in assistance as a construction loan to be restructured into a permanent loan of $300,000 upon completion at 3% interest only during construction and 1% P&I, 30 yr amortization with a rate adjustment in yr 6 to no more than 3% as approved by the Housing Committee, subject to (1)evidence that all other sources of funds are secured in such terms as acceptable to CRDA and its counsel; (2) State Bond Commission Approval; and (3) such fiduciary terms deemed appropriate by the Executive Director. 360 Main Street This is a new project that aims to convert inefficient and underperforming commercial space into 20 units, 16 of them as micro units. CRDA financing is critical as the primary loan on the property has penalties preventing refinancing. Consequently a short term second note along with equity helps carry out the project with expected refinancing of the entire property within 3 years. The CRDA request is for $320,000 at 3%, 20 yr amortization but balloons in year 3 that is matched by $500,000 in cash equity from the developer. Total Development Budget: $820,000. The following motion was moved by Commissioner Klein, seconded by Mayor Leclerc and RESOLUTION: The CRDA Board hereby approves the use of CRDA housing funds to assist the developer, 360 Main Street Associates, to convert commercial space at 360 Main Street into 20 units of housing and to extend a term sheet offering $320,000 at 3% interest, 20 year amortization, three year term, as approved by the Housing Committee, subject to (1) evidence that all other sources of funding are secured in such terms as acceptable to CRDA and its counsel; (2) State Bond Commission approval; and (3) such fiduciary items deemed appropriate by the Executive Director. 2

3 38-42 Elm Street A reworked project to renovate a former commercial building into six units (2 studio, 2-1BR; 2-2BR) totaling $1.12 M. The project will utilize private equity, state historic credits, financing from the Hartford Loan Fund and has a request to CRDA for the gap. Project financing shows that conventional P+I amortization may not work and a cash flow mortgage structure gives the most flexibility to the deal that is small, relatively tight on value and with a first time developer and consequently only able to secure more expensive primary financing. The CRDA assistance in the form of a loan up to $332,650 would have a fluctuating interest rate from 1% - 3% depending on the cash flow. Financing $ 420,000 bank 190,000 bank bridge/state historic credits 185,000 equity 332,650 CRDA TDC: $1,127,650 The following motion was moved by Commissioner Klein, seconded by Mayor Leclerc and The CRDA Board herby approves the use of CRDA housing funds to assist the developer, Peabody Unlimited LLC to convert commercial space at Elm Street into 6 units of housing and to extend a term sheet offering up to $332,650 at a rate from 1% to 3% depending on cash flow for 30 years, as approved by the Housing Committee, subject to (1) evidence that all other sources of funding are secure in such terms as acceptable to CRDA and its counsel; (2) State Bond Commission approval; and (3) such fiduciary items deemed appropriate by the Executive Director. 390 Capitol Ave - (Hartford Office Supply Building) The 390 Capitol Ave. project, formerly known as the Hartford Office Supply Company, consists of the conversion of an historic structure into 112 residential units along with commercial space. The existing building is approximately 98 years old (constructed in 1915), contains approximately 123,000 usable square feet and basement space, 3 and 4 stories, office/warehouse commercial building situated on a 1.89 acre parcel in Hartford, Connecticut. The building has been vacant since approximately The site is situated at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Flower Street on the northwest corner. Access to the rear parking lots is provided from both streets with parking available for approximately 85 stalls at-grade. The Developer, Dakota Partners Inc. is considering acquiring or leasing City owned land which abuts the property to create an additional 40 +/- spaces if necessary for marketing purposes. The building is located within the Frog Hollow Historic District and is eligible for National Park Service Historic Designation. The project will consist of a gut rehabilitation including new interiors, exterior doors, windows, roof and HVAC. The 112 apartments will contain a mix of 71 two bedroom units and 41 one bedroom units. All work will be consistent with the NPS Historic Guidelines. 3

4 Financing: CRDA $3.5M (loan A at.5% interest, deferred yrs 1-5, 20 yr note) TDC: CRDA $3.5M (cash flow equity loan at.5% interest, deferred yr 1-5, 20 yr dependent on cash flow) DOH $ 5.0M Champs Program City $ 3.1M Bank Loan $ 5.4M (permanent loan, but $12.89M bridge construction loan) Hist. Credits $ 9.9M (state and federal) Deferred Fee.20M $30.6M The following motion was moved by Mayor Leclerc, seconded by Cheryl Malerba and The CRDA Board hereby approves the use of CRDA housing funds to assist the developer, Dakota Properties Inc. (or such acceptable single purpose entity)to renovate 390 Capitol Avenue into 112 housing units and the Executive Director is authorized to extend a formal term sheet to the developer offering $7 million in assistance in two forms: as a permanent loan at.5% interest, 20 yrs amortization, P&I deferred yrs 1-5; and secondly as a cash flow equity grant at.5% yrs 1-5 P&I deferred, 2% yrs 6-20, 20 yrs amortization but based on cash flow of the project, subject to (1) evidence that all other sources of funds are secured in such terms as acceptable to CRDA and its counsel; (2) State Bond Commission approval; and (3) such fiduciary terms deemed appropriate by the Executive Director. Other Housing Project Updates 201 Ann Street approximately 50% complete 179 Allyn approximately 50% complete 5 Constitution (Sonesta) approximately 40% completion, target date Spring Main Street Under Construction Front St. - Steel is going up $50M of the original $60M of housing funding is committed. More projects are in the pipeline. Romare Bearden Abstract Murals Mike Freimuth continued by asking the Board to consider a final motion that needs action. Kim Hart has worked out a loan agreement with the Hartford Public Library for the placement and securing of the Romare Bearden abstract murals that will be moved from the XL Center and placed into the Hartford Public Library during the first week of July The murals will remain at the Library for a period of time until a new XL Center is built or until the 10 year agreement with the City has concluded. Floyd Green indicated that he has spoken to Dottie McLean, Founding Executive Director of the Artists Collective, who has expressed the need to tie the historical relationship to the Library so that all neighborhoods can see the collection and understand how it was brought here and how powerful these pieces of art are to the City of Hartford and to the world that follows Beardon. Kim Hart responded that the Library agrees and has reached out to Ms. McLean to organize a collection of art that will tie into the murals. 4

5 The following motion was moved by Thom Deller seconded by Commissioner Klein and unanimously approved. The CRDA Board Authorizes the Executive Director to enter into an agreement with the City of Hartford and the Hartford Public Library for the possession and care of the Romare Bearden Abstract Murals. Financial Update Joseph Geremia reported that effective today, June 19, 2014 CRDA has exercised the right to terminate the Swap Agreement. Although this does not directly impact the CRDA financial statements, the Bonds are in CRDA s custody. The savings to the Bond Fund are just over $2M per year in cash which will offset the liability that is paid for principal and interest from the State Treasurer. Board meeting schedules Michael Freimuth reported that there is a suggestion to forego the July and August Board meetings with the caveat that should any action items arise, the Chair will call a telephonic meeting. Board meetings will resume in September 2014 and options for a new Board schedule will be provided. Options will be forwarded after the today s Board Meeting and discussed at the September 2014 Board meeting. There was general concurrence to the plan. Venue Committee Update XLCenter Chris Lawrence presented marketing ideas for the XL Center Re-launch. Chris spoke at length about concepts that the marketing team put together to be reviewed by CRDA. Board members offered thoughts of marketing ideas as well. All viewpoints will be taken into consideration and a Re-Launch plan will be firmed up in the near future. RFP for Arena Program Development and Construction Feasibility Services was issued on June 13, Bids are due back by July 15, Next week the XL Center will be totally shut down and the concourse area will be demolished. Other construction is ongoing, including renovations of bathrooms. Construction work is taking place in two shifts. As of today s date the project is on schedule. Tennis UTC has signed on to be a major two year sponsor. Ticket sales are up. Promotion of the Tournament is also going well. Men s Exhibition Tournament is helping with ticket sales. 5

6 iquilt Update Bonnie Malley, the Chairwoman of iquilt, presented the iquilt Plan highlighting the walkability of downtown Hartford. The concept is to create a walkable, vibrant downtown using components that are already in place. A presentation was distributed including pictures from today and proposed designs of tomorrow. Bonnie stated that some of the concepts of the iquilt Plan are already underway, specifically the walkways of the Phoenix Plaza, the Science Center Plaza and the Riverfront walk to East Hartford. She also pointed out the beautiful gardens that are part of the plan. Executive Director Report Church Street Garage The Hartford City Council agreed to sell the garage to CRDA and to combine it with the XL Building. An appraisal of the garage is complete and it is currently being reviewed. An engineering report is due shortly. 55 Farmington work is essentially complete, a few odds and ends are still being worked on. However, 370 state employees are currently working in the building and another 600 are moving in. 450 Columbus - Still in proposal and design phase. Move in is targeted for Fall Lawsuit The lawsuit that was brought against CRDA and others has been withdrawn. Calendar item - Big Mo will take place at 777 Main Street on September 13, Board Meetings - Mike Freimuth suggested possibly holding the September Board meeting at 777 Main. Floyd Green offered to host a CRDA Board Meeting at Aetna. Bonnie Malley offered to host at The Phoenix as well. The Board adjourned at 7:45pm. The minutes of the June 19, 2014 CRDA Board Meeting were moved by Commissioner Klein seconded by President Reid and unanimously approved by Board Members at the September 18, 2014 CRDA Board Meeting. 6